Washing machine and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines with drying functions face inaccuracies in determining the dried state of laundry due to sensor installation location and laundry movement, leading to incomplete drying or energy wastage.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine with a drum, tub, drum motor, water supplier, and hot air supplier, controlled by a controller that uses current signals from the drum motor to determine dryness, averaging measurement values, and adjusts hot air supply based on event generation and temperature differences to accurately assess and control drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is installed inside the drum to directly contact laundry for determining dried state, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensor installation location and irregular movements of laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces motor current as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure laundry dryness. Instead of directly sensing the laundry state with a contact sensor, the system measures the motor current which changes as laundry transitions from wet to dry, providing reliable measurement without direct contact issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based humidity sensor with an electrical measurement approach using motor current sensing. This substitution eliminates the problems of direct contact measurement while maintaining the ability to determine laundry dryness accurately
2Manufacturing precision
If drying operation continues to ensure complete drying, then drying completeness is improved, but energy consumption increases due to excessive drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors motor current during drying and compares it against threshold values. When the current indicates dryness (stabilizes or increases beyond threshold), the system automatically stops drying, preventing energy waste while ensuring complete drying
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the drying process by continuously evaluating motor current changes and adapting the drying duration accordingly. The system transitions from fixed-time drying to adaptive drying based on real-time motor current characteristics, optimizing energy use
3Use of energy by moving object
If drying operation stops early to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but drying completeness deteriorates due to incomplete drying
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism continuously monitors motor current to determine the actual dryness state. The system only stops drying when the feedback signal confirms complete drying, ensuring that energy is not wasted on already-dry laundry while also preventing premature termination that would leave laundry damp
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurately determines the dried state of laundry without direct contact, optimizing energy use and ensuring complete drying by adjusting hot air supply based on motor current and temperature measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a drum motor configured to provide a rotation force to the drum, for the drum to rotate within the tub
Implementation Method 2
a hot air supplier configured to supply hot air to the drum
Implementation Method 3
a current sensor configured to output a current signal based on a magnitude of current applied to the drum motor
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine according to an aspect of the disclosure includes: a drum; a tub accommodating the drum and storing water; a drum motor configured to provide a rotation force to the drum; a water supplier configured to supply water to the tub; a hot air supplier configured to supply hot air to the drum; a current sensor configured to output a current signal corresponding to a magnitude of current applied to the drum motor; and a controller configured to perform a washing operation while controlling the water supplier and the drum motor, and perform a drying operation while controlling the hot air supplier and the drum motor.